Richardson urged to stay as Arkansas coach

Nolan Richardson's comments about possibly resigning as head coach of No. 5 Arkansas because of the fallout over an athletic-dorm incident drew a quick response yesterday in the state house.

A northwestern Arkansas lawmaker introduced a resolution that the group urge Richardson to remain as the coach and assistant athletic director, "so that he can continue to have a positive effect on the lives of our young people."

Richardson, frustrated over what he said were insinuations that he ran an outlaw program, said Tuesday that there were "not enough jobs in America to keep me working at a place where they think that my program is out of control."

His comments came during a news conference to announce the suspension of basketball player Darrell Hawkins in connection with an incident last week at the Walton Athletic Dormitory on the UA campus.

Several athletes were linked to an alleged sexual assault of a 33-year-old Springdale woman the morning after the Razorbacks clinched their third straight Southwest Conference title.

Campus police conducted an investigation and turned the findings over to Washington County Prosecutor Andrew Ziser. The prosecutor announced Saturday that there wasn't enough evidence to file charges, and that the woman involved also didn't want to press charges.

* ALABAMA: Coach Wimp Sanderson of the No. 24 Crimson Tide said 6-foot-9 junior center Robert Horry was removed from the team Tuesday because of "an attitude that was not in the best interest of the program" and unspecified violations of team rules.

Horry, who averaged 11.6 points and led the team in rebounds with 8.4 per game and blocked shots with 62, helped Alabama win the Southeastern Conference tournament the past two years and was named to the all-tournament team a year ago.

He played in all 27 Alabama games this season and started all but one, as the Tide compiled an 18-9 overall record and wound up second in the SEC.

* NEVADA-LAS VEGAS: The counsel handling UNLV's battle with the National Collegiate Athletic Association says he is confident there will be no more eligibility problems as the Runnin' Rebels seek to defend their national title in the weeks ahead.

Investigators from the NCAA enforcement staff interviewed four players this week about the recruitment of California prep star Ed O'Bannon, now at UCLA.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the investigation centered on whether players Hi Waldman and George Ackles took O'Bannon to a dinner show while he was in Las Vegas.